Three years of nurturing young minds

‘Wings of Women’ library at Rajaji Nagar in Thiruvananthapuram.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

A tin-roofed structure in the heart of Rajaji Nagar, where knowledge and community intertwine, one page at a time. The ‘Wings of Women’ library, its shelves overflowing with stories, its doors open to all, aims at becoming an agent of change in this densely packed locality.

With around 2,500 books and 60 active memberships, the library that was launched on August 24, 2022, is going in for a makeover next month. Key improvements that are set to enhance its reach include appointment of a full-time librarian, extended working hours, and a long-awaited electricity connection.

“In a place that had never seen a library or even a sizeable book collection, our library is a significant achievement,” says Dhanuja Kumari, writer and library committee member who is also a Haritha Karma Sena member.

The opening of the library in the locality was a milestone as it promised to offer educational resources and opportunities for extracurricular enrichment that were out of reach for many students.

Through collaborative efforts with local sponsors and well-wishers, the library has extended its mission beyond lending books. With support from the Excise department and a non-governmental organisation, it now provides essential study equipment to financially struggling students. Each year over a hundred students benefit from the initiative, says Ms. Dhanuja Kumari. 

For the past three years, the library has also been hosting vacation classes for students who cannot afford such classes elsewhere. “Resource persons from many walks of life come to take classes for the children,” she says.

These efforts help bridge the educational divide and ensure that children in the locality have a fair shot at success.

Beyond academics, the library fosters community well-being by organising monthly health camps and blood donations drives. 

However, some of those involved in the initial collection of books and their indexing feel the library is yet to fulfil its immense potential. For one, the memberships need to increase, particularly among children. More programmes to promote and nurture reading should be initiated so that children do not stray into a life of crime or drugs. Fixed working hours and regular issue and return of books and a welcoming environment will make the library a big draw for children and the youth, they point out.

(The writer is an intern at The Hindu Bureau in Thiruvananthapuram)